Spirit
Greeter
Friend
Can you post a picture of your setup?
I don't have any current pics, but here's a rough diagram. The tarp is over the hutch to keep the rain off so the wood won't decay or mold. The hutch itself is 5'×2' so this isn't exactly to scale, but it gives the idea. This aviary has high walls on each side, so direct sunlight shines straight into it for a few hours per day.
It doesn't have to be direct sunlight. You can use LEDs. Coturnix quail are very prolific layers, but are still technically seasonal layers that normally take a break during the winter. Giving them enough light to keep them laying year 'round will shorten their lives, but if eggs are your purpose, then they need the light. This makes them think that it's still spring/summer so they should be laying eggs.
So, what are the logistics of this? Should I hang warm LED lights in the ceiling of their hutch?
That should work I’ve seen a couple of people use the solar led stake things that people use to light up paths and they seem to work.
Okay, so when should I have them on?
I’d just use them after dark or before it gets light
Won't this interrupt their sleep cycle, though?
Also, could letting them out of the hutch every day be too much of a shock to the two non-layers?
That works, or you can hang them just outside of their hutch.
Either morning or evening. You want it to remain light somewhere in the 6 AM to 9 PM range, but as long as you're reasonably consistent, you can make it fit your schedule.
You want to extend their day. They should still get 8 hours of darkness each night so they can sleep.
It might in the short term, but if you're doing it every day, it will eventually become normal for them.
